Tim Bozon | Winger | #56

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The Florida Panthers have acquired Tim Bozon from the Montreal Canadiens for Jonathan Racine.

Bozon, originally a third round pick in 2012, has posted just eight points in 42 career AHL games. He also posted nine points in 15 games for ECHL Brampton. The 22-year-old Switzerland native has already been sent to AHL Springfield. Sat, Oct 8, 2016 01:34:00 PM

Tim Bozon is heading to AHL Hamilton after completing his stint with WHL Kootenay.

Bozon had 35 goals and 63 points in 57 WHL games in 2014-15. He was able to play despite his battle with life-threatening meningitis that started roughly a year ago. At one point he was in a medically induced coma and once he was better, he had rebuild his strength after losing nearly 40 pounds. The fact that he not only resumed his playing career but was also able to play at a high level this season is inspiring. Wed, Apr 8, 2015 03:31:00 PM

Bozon participated in AHL Hamilton's training camp after taking part in the Canadiens' rookie camp. He has resumed his hockey career after recovering from life-threatening meningitis. Fri, Oct 10, 2014 02:05:00 PM

Tim Bozon, who recovered from a bout of life-threatening meningitis, told reporters he feels strong and is ready to compete at the Canadiens' rookie camp this week.

He contracted the disease last season but the worst of it seems behind him. "I could have died, I could have lost my legs, my arms, my sight," Bozon told reporters Friday after completing a series of fitness tests. "I'm very lucky and there are so many people I have to thank, and I also have to thank the Guy on top." Bozon is likely to start the season in the AHL with the Hamilton Bulldogs but his recovery makes for a nice story and we wish him well. Sat, Sep 13, 2014 11:15:00 AM

Depth Charts

Aleksander Barkov is disappointed that Jaromir Jagr won't be back with the Panthers this season.

"I would be lying if I say no because he helped me so much and probably I would never be in the same situation without him," Barkov said. "When he came in, I took my game to another level and for sure everybody else on the team did too. He just helped so much everybody on the team and is one of the most important guys in my career." Barkov, Jagr and Jonathan Huberdeau was a successful combination for the Panthers, but injuries got in the way last year. He wants to see Jagr get a chance to continue playing somewhere even if it isn't in the NHL. Barkov and Huberdeau are expected to skated alongside Evgeny Dadonov in 2017-18.

Although he may only be the Panthers' third-line center, Nick Bjugstad may have some fantasy value if he sticks on Florida's first power-play unit.

The Cats have been icing the following first power-play unit so far--Keith Yandle, Aleksander Barkov, Jonathan Huberdeau, Evgenii Dadonov and Bjugstad. The second unit has been comprised of Aaron Ekblad, Vincent Trocheck, Owen Tippett, Jared McCann and Henrik Haapala. Ekblad, and to a lesser extent Trocheck, seem to be the losers in this alignment. Keep an eye on this situation going forward.

Derek MacKenzie is excited to have Bob Boughner as the new head coach of the Panthers.

"He's a player's coach, an all-in kind of guy," said Florida's captain. "He can relate to you. He's a guy you have a great relationship with, but he's not afraid to put his foot down. When he came to you and needed something from you, you wanted to do it." MacKenzie has played for Boughner before when he was an assistant for Columbus in 2010.

Jonathan Huberdeau produced a goal and an assist in a 4-2 victory versus Tampa Bay on Sunday in preseason action.

He assisted on goal by Evgeny Dadonov along with Aleksander Barkov. That combination is projected to be Florida's top line going into the regular season. Newcomers Jamie McGinn and Radim Vrbata scored the Panthers' other goals in the win.

Henrik Haapala feels ready for the NHL and he stands a good chance to claim a roster spot.

"When it was my year to draft players (2012), the game was way different than it is now," Haapala said. "So I think it's going a good way and I think it suits me better. ... I'm 23 and I played four years in the men's league [in Finland] and I think now is the time if ever [to try to play in the NHL]. Maybe next year it would be too late. I think this year I'm as ready as I can be." He scored a goal in Tuesday's exhibition win over Nashville. Haapala's transition to the NHL has been helped by Aleksander Barkov, who he has known for more than a decade.

This was the second of two split-squad games between these teams on Tuesday night. McCann got an opportunity to play 29 games with the Panthers last season, but he wasn't very productive (one goal and seven assists). The 21-year-old added 11 goals and 25 points in 42 games with AHL Springfield.

Denis Malgin is more confident heading into his second season with the Panthers.

Malgin skated in 47 games with Florida last year and he chipped in 10 points. He also registered 12 points over 15 outings with Springfield of the AHL. "It was a good lesson for me," he said. "It was a good experience in the AHL to play there a lot of minutes. Then I got the call-up, and it was amazing. I came again on the team and I think I played very well then again. I feel confidence now. I have more confidence than last year. I think that's a good thing." Malgin has a shot at landing a third-line spot in 2017-18 out of training camp.

Micheal Haley understands how coach Bob Boughner wants him to play this season.

Haley played the past two seasons for the Sharks, where Boughner served as an assistant. "Boughner believes in in-your-face; that doesn't necessarily mean roughness, but always hunting, always chasing the puck, taking away their time and space," said Haley. "You don't want to come in here and think it's going to be an easy two points, an easy game. You know when you step on our ice surface we're going to be coming and be giving everything we got." He racked up 128 penalty minutes and 129 hits in 58 appearances last year.

It looks as if Florida GM Dale Tallon sees Radim Vrbata on his team's second line alongside Vincent Trocheck and possibly Henrik Haapala.

Vrbata will also get plenty of power-play ice time. Trocheck and Vrbata could make a very nice combination and could thrive as they will not have to face the oppositions' top checking lines as that will be reserved for Aleksander Barkov's number one unit. Keep Vrbata in mind during the middle of your draft next season.

It looks as if Evgeny Dadonov will indeed line up on the Panthers' first line alongside Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau.

The line has looked great together and the Panthers' coaching and management staff seem pleased with Dadonov's return to southern Florida. Said GM Dale Tallon: "When [Dadonov] was first here, he just didn't have it together as far as effort, strength and conditioning. He was a 19-year-old from a foreign country. He learned valuable lessons (in Russia), became better on and off the ice. He's a world-class player." It looks as if Barkov and Huberdeau will be just fine without future Hall of Famer Jaromir Jagr. As for Dadonov, he should be high on draft lists come next week.

Colton Sceviour found the back of the net in Friday's 4-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks.

Sceviour's goal tied the game at one at the 4:18 mark of the second period. The Panthers forward finished the game with a plus-2 rating and seven shots on goal in 13:46 of ice time. He has a seven goals and eight assists in 54 games.

Owen Tippett believes he can develop into a Phil Kessel-type of player.

"I have the upside of Phil Kessel—the speed, the shot, the way he can make plays. I also have some things I need to work on to be a 200-foot player," Tippett said. The Panthers would be thrilled if he turned out to be as productive as Kessel has been in his NHL career. The 18-year-old put up an impressive 44 goals in 60 games in the OHL last season, but we're still a far cry from him being at Kessel's level right now. It'll be interesting to see what the Panthers do with Tippett this season. He could start the year in Florida or he could also end up back in junior for another season.

He suffered a broken hand back in mid-September during a rookie game and he is finally ready to play again. Hawryluk was hoping to stick with the Panthers this season, but he will have to wait for an opportunity while playing for the Springfield Thunderbirds.

Ekblad would work to avoid big hits in the past, which is a subject that he discussed with GM Dale Tallon. "And that was not the right way to play," Ekblad said. "Dale and I had a talk midway through the year that I got to get back for that puck quick, make the play and then get up ice and that’s the best way to protect yourself is to be quicker than them." To that end Ekblad worked on reducing his level of fat over the summer while still maintaining his muscle mass. The Panthers are looking for him to be a cornerstone of the franchise as he enters the first season of his eight-year, $60 million deal.

Keith Yandle is optimistic and eager to get going for the 2017-18 campaign.

Yandle is looking forward to the upcoming season because the team will have healthy stars Jonathan Huberdeau and Aleksander Barkov back. He also likes that Dale Tallon is back in control of roster decisions. "Having Dale back in charge, I think that was the main thing that got everyone going," Yandle said. "You sense the power over the locker room that Dale can have. It's such a positive thing when you have a guy like Dale Tallon. Everyone respects him and everything he does for the team. Going into the season knowing he has our back, he has the team, and obviously that he hired great coaches too, it's a great thing."

Michael Matheson got his sixth goal of the season in Thursday's 6-2 loss to Montreal.

"It's a little bittersweet," Matheson said afterward. "It was nice to get a goal in my hometown, but looking back at the game it's one I'd like to forget and I'm sure my teammates feel the same way. We didn't come ready to play." He has posted 16 points in 76 outings.

The Florida Panthers have signed Alex Petrovic to a one-year deal worth roughly $1.8 million, according to TSN's Bob McKenzie.

Petrovic had one goal and 13 assists in 49 games with the Panthers last season. He doesn't provide much in terms of offense, but he can play a steady defensive game. Petrovic also tends to play with an edge to his game. The 25-year-old doesn't have any fantasy value going into next season.

In other words he'll come with a $2,733,333 annual cap hit. This deal also buys his first year of UFA eligibility. He had four goals and 17 points in 82 games last season and earned praise from GM Dale Tallon for his consistency and efforts on the penalty kill.

Ian McCoshen has a chance to crack Florida's top-six defense group following the trade that sent Jason Demers to Arizona.

McCoshen and MacKenzie Weegar were candidates for the Panthers' seventh defense spot going into camp, but now they can earn larger roles. McCoshen sees himself as a shutdown blueliner and he feels more confident at his second NHL training camp.

MacKenzie Weegar has signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Florida Panthers.

Weegar made three appearances with the Panthers in 2016-17, while spending the bulk of the year with Springfield of the AHL. He recorded 14 goals and 36 points from the back end in 60 matches with the Thunderbirds.

Roberto Luongo is hoping that hip problems that plagued him last season are behind him now.

Luongo was limited to 40 games in 2017-18 due to lingering hip issues following surgery. The veteran netminder believes now 18-plus months post surgery, that the physical and mental issues surrounding his hip are gone. Despite his return to good health, Loungo, now 38, will likely be rested regularly during the season as the Panthers have a more than capable backup netminder in James Reimer.

James Reimer capped off the season with a 38-save shutout over the President Trophy recipients on Sunday evening.

Reimer was flawless under an intense barrage from the Washington Capitals, earning his second shutout in as many nights. Two goose eggs on the final weekend boost the 29-year-old's stats to 18-16-5 this season with a 2.53 goals against average and .920 save percentage.